UK says over 25,000 migrants made Channel crossing so far this year

LONDON

Over 25,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel this year, the UK government figures showed on Sunday.

On Saturday, 19 more small boats reached Britain’s shores carrying 915 people on board, according to the Home Office citing Defense Ministry data.

It takes the total number of people who have crossed the Channel to 25,146 so far this year.

The total numbers of crossings in 2022 could double those in 2021.

Earlier this year, the British government announced its controversial Rwanda plan to deport Channel migrants to the Central African country where their asylum claims would be processed.

The plan is on hold while a judicial review takes place, but the UK government has said it remains committed to the policy and is continuing preparations to enact the policy.

Both Conservative Party leadership candidates vying to become Britain’s next prime minister, former Chancellor Rishi Sunak and current Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, have backed the Rwanda plan.